Taking a break from a training session at the Santa Barbara County Animal Shelter.

My name is Sarah Dyar. I have lived with my dogs on the Central Coast for thirty-five years. As a child and into my teens I trained and competed with my Silky Terrier in showmanship and obedience. I had been taught "old school" punitive training methods because that's all anyone knew back then. I always wished there was a better way. I heard about clicker training at a pet sitter's conference in 2005 and I was intrigued. Not long after, I bought Karen Pryor's book, Don't Shoot the Dog. I began clicker training my dogs and they absolutely loved it. ​

Why I Train Dogs

Several years into my pet sitting business, one of my dog walking clients sent her dog away to a board and train program. The dog was fearful and aggressive when it returned home from training. I began to clicker train this dog and she became happy and more confident. She also learned some cute tricks that delighted her owner. I reflected upon the damage done to this poor dog by the "professional" trainer and her distraught owner who thought her dog would be trained using humane methods. I vowed to learn everything I could about humane training in order to educate the public. I enrolled in the Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Training and Behavior. It was a very challenging program which included written assignments, tests, and travel to workshops in San Diego. I studied under nationally known trainer and author Nan Arthur, KPA CTP, CDBC, CPDT-KSA. I received my Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner designation (KPA CTP) in July of 2015.

​​About My Training Method

I train exclusively with clicker training. I don't use any sort of force, intimidation, or pain to train any animal. I now have the tools I need to solve problems without resorting to inhumane training methods. The premise behind clicker training is simple. We mark and reward the behaviors we like, and ignore the ones we don't. We set dogs up for success and reward them. There are many misconceptions about clicker training. It is not bribery and you will not need to carry the clicker around forever. I have been able to train behaviors I never thought I'd be able to train in my wildest dreams using clicker training.